A third successive 1-0 defeat saw us fall to ninth place in the table just a point ahead of bottom side Edinburgh City who got their first win of the campaign against Berwick.

A fit again Muirhead returned to the starting line up along with McInally and Swann although Pyper missed out due to injury while Stirling and Brad Smith dropped to the bench.

In the sixth minute a good move involving McInally, Miller and Buchanan saw the later put the ball in the net but the flag was raised for offside.

Minutes later at the other end McGovern pulled off a fine double save to deny Scott and Longworth with Longworth eventually putting the ball wide.

Rumsby then blocked a Longworth effort while at the other end Blockley stopped a shot from Swann.

The only goal of the afternoon came three minutes from the break when McGovern done well to save a McGuigan shot but Nathan BLOCKLEY was on hand to slot home from the rebound.

The start of the second half saw Muirhead go on a good run up the left wing before cutting the ball back to Miller who sent his shot over the bar.

Buchanan then saw an angled shot cleared off the line by Meechan and a minute later he sent a shot wide.

The remainder of what was a scrappy game saw both sides contained to shots from distance with none making any impact.

As the game drew to a close we had one last chance to salvage a point with a Mullen free kick which went over the bar with what proved to be the last kick of the match.

TEAM: McGovern, McInally, Rutherford, Mullen, Rumsby, Syme, Buchanan (Morris 73), Miller (B Smith 73), Muirhead, A Smith & Swann (Denton 80). Subs not used – McGurn, Stirling, Whitaker & Ovenstone.

Booked: Buchanan (57).
 

STENHOUSEMUIR: Smith, Meechan, M Dunlop, R Dunlop, Blockley (Ferns 71), Ferry, McGuigan, Paton, Longworth (McMenamin 64), Scott (Gilmour 84) & Donaldson. Subs not used – McMinn, Marsh, Halleran & Murray.

Goal: Blockley (42).

Booked: Ferns (90+1).